Scripted Shape Plug-ins; trying to write a plugin for this shape...

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to write a plugin in maxscript to get a shape as shown.

The idea is to click points A, B en C, to define the basic shape, after that the radii could be adjusted in the modifier panel.

I don't know where to begin; when I look at the Scripted Shape Plug-ins entry in the MAXScript reference it says: "Scripted Shape plug-ins can only extend existing Shape plug-ins."

Do i have to start with a "donut" object and modify that?

MLB

[Anonymous]

You might be better off writing a standard-type script that creates the shape rather than trying to create a plug-in. Personally, I've never had any luck with a scripted Shape plug-in. You can probably do some tricks to keep the data with it so the script could modify it parametrically, which would give you most of the benefits of a plug-in.

[Anonymous]

I know how to do the math, but i don't know how to get it into a nice 'package'.

Does anyone know of a script I can use as a basis?

MLB

[Anonymous]

I'm with Stokes on this...you would probably have to extend the basic line shape and make the
shape you want. Another option could be a helper using gw calls, but that is even more prone to
hair-pulling and flipping off your monitor.

If I had to pump something out, I would reverse engineer the spline, and make a function that
did all the steps required to recreate the spline modified by input settings. The tool/"plugin"
would just manage the variables that affect the spline.

[paulneale]

I don't believe that scripted shapes work very well at all. I don't remember what the issues where
but I found that it wasn't possible to use them.

ScriptChimp wrote:
> I'm with Stokes on this...you would probably have to extend the basic line shape and make the
> shape you want. Another option could be a helper using gw calls, but that is even more prone to
> hair-pulling and flipping off your monitor.
>
> If I had to pump something out, I would reverse engineer the spline, and make a function that
> did all the steps required to recreate the spline modified by input settings. The tool/"plugin"
> would just manage the variables that affect the spline.

[gplourde]

The issue since max 7 was that it crashed max when you opened a scene with a scripted shape in it. Creation worked fine. It work fin in 2009 now but I have no idea when this was fixed. Fairly sure it crash in max 9 also.

[Anonymous]

I'd create the shapes in a custom tool, and add a custom attribute to the new node to tweak the radius after creation.

I don't believe that scripted shapes work very well at all. I don't remember what the issues where
but I found that it wasn't possible to use them.

This may be the issue: (in the attachment)

It didn't work for 'delegate' or 'this' ( Max 9 ).
If someone knows a way to add splines to a shape plug-in please let me know!

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-Matt